Can we run staggered wheels/tires without making the VDC go crazy? I think the system should be able to tolerate slight variations in overall tire diameter since it is to be expected that the fronts and rears will wear out at different speeds depending on your driving habits (such as manual owners who keep lighting up the rears). Do we have a definitive answer on this issue? I would like to go with the tirerack's staggered optional size for better handling, I am not trying to fit 20x10's for looks, just want to get the 7.5/225/45/18 - 9.0/255/40/18. I know this has been discussed for a long time but does anyone have real world experience on how the sedan reacts to a staggered tire setup? Usually, the wheel discussions are about fitting huge wheels on the car, I just want to improve the handling and get rid of the mushy sidewall flex. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

I have the OEM coupe rims and tires on my G. Personally I think the 245/45 in the rear are too wide for the sedan. It may just be me but it feels a bit sluggish off the line till I get to about 15mph then it picks up.

Whenever I go back to the 225/50/17 (all the way around) it feels like a different ride all together. I think the final setup for my 18s is going to be 235/45 all the way around

Not sure if I shedded any light for you but good luck none the less

G35papa
2003 Pearl White - Premium Willow Leather - Clear Corners (moded) - Z-tube - 18" OEMs

 

Incase I wasnt clear in my last post, im running 225/45 fr and 245/45 rr



G35papa
2003 Pearl White - Premium Willow Leather - Clear Corners (moded) - Z-tube - 18" OEMs

 

The thing with the sedan is that you want to keep the tire diameters fairly close. A 225/45R18 and a 255/40R18 have diameters that differ by about 1.5 millimeters.

There are reasons not to do this. One is that you won't be able to rotate the tires (which would counter the effect of lighting up the rears and wearing them out faster). Another is that the sedan has a natural tendency to understeer with the stock base or sport suspension, and wider rear tears will increase that tendency.

Of course, rotating may not be an issue for you, and the understeer problem can be countered with sway bars and/or suspension upgrades.

If the TireRack says it'll work, I'll believe them. They tend to know what they're talking about.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. Can you describe the understeer which you are experiencing? My experience after 20k miles is that at low speeds without VDC engaged even moderate throttle in tight turns will throw out the back, in the wet the car feels like a top. I vaguely recall a car mag making comments about "understeer in high speed sweepers on the track". I'm inclined to believe this statement, but how many of us are driving anywhere near this level on public roads? At high speeds a little understeer will help the typical driver, but my concern is low speed handling from 10 to 65mph. After 70 my willingness to turn starts to decrease rapidly...I also wonder about the VDC causing the understeer people experience because in turns the G definitely feels held back with VDC. You are almost flooring the car but it will not go any faster. VDC = understeer, VDC off =oversteer?

 

I thought the stock sedan sport suspension made the car oversteer, or at least on my sedan w/ the stock it occasionaly oversteered when taking a corner hard.

High Point, NC
04 G35 6MT Sedan, Diamond Graphite on Black.
Arrived on 10/20/03
AIM: OneFast4Door G35

 

That's power-induced oversteer. The engine breaks the rear free regardless of the suspension if you get on the gas too hard.

 

I have a staggered set-up on my G35s and have had for about 2 months. On the front I have SSR GT1 18x8 wheels with Bridgestone 225/45/18 PP SO3 tires. On the back, I have SSR GT1 18x9 wheels with Bridgestone 255/40/18 PP SO3 tires.

I also have Eibach springs front and rear, which lowered the car 1.1" front and rear. These lowering springs also induced 2 degrees of negative camber at each corner. This condition is a big help with cornering, but I have slightly accelerated wear on the inside edge of each tire. I also have Eibach's anti-sway bar kit, tuned to full-firm both front and rear. The latter really made the car feel tighter and more resistant to body roll.

Accelerating, braking, and cornering performance is amazing. Before I added these mods, my G oversteered when pushed. Now, the car is very neutral. I have pushed the car toward the limit of adhesion on on-ramps and other tight, fairly constant radius curves. I haven't been able to break the tires loose yet. I always reach the limit of my courage before I reach the limit of adhesion. Discretion is the better part of valour. Of course, I can invoke power-induced oversteer on demand, especially when making a quick turn from a dead stop.

I love the way the car handles now, and I would recommend the same set-up to anyone. Even so, I wonder how a quality set of coilovers would change the handling characteristics of my car...?


'03 G35s 5AT, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03
Eibach Springs/Sways, Stillen 2-pc BBK
Stillen Intake & SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust